Pages

ATP/CP Training - Speed training versus Strength training


Here is an example of what I did for "speed" training and what I did for "strength" training this past week. These are just portions of each respective training session. The main point of speed training, regardless of the exercise, is to develop/improve rate of force development or acceleration of a mass. The main point of "stength" training is to develop/improve maximal force output. These qualities of musculature are co-dependent. You cannot reach your maximal potential in either quality without attaining a high amount of the other. Think about the ultimate "stength" based athletes...Powerlifters/Strongmen/etc.. These athletes will not attain their maximal potential without "speed" training relative to the sport. Think about the ultimate "speed" based athletes...Sprinters/Olympic Lifters/High Jumpers/Long Jumpers/etc. These athletes will not attain their maximal potential without "strength" training.

For myself, I feel I am quite balanced in both my speed and strength abilities. Therefore, I dedicate equal amounts of training per week to either quality - speed or strength. The above example of the power clean and box jump complex is a great way to train for "speed". This "athletic complex" was used to augment the second movement in the series, because the high load of the power clean will achieve higher recruitment of the nervous system prior to the relatively lower load box jump. This is a great strategy when trying to improve rate of force development (generate speed), and there are tons of options - some better than others. The above example of the back squat is in my opinion THE example of lower body + core "strength".

The amount of either speed or strength training you need to do in your program to optimize your fitness is based on several factors, but mainly on your speed dominant testing results versus strength dominant testing results AND on what your current training goals are. An easy example of this is if an individual weighs 185-200lbs, can vertical jump 26", Power Snatch 55-60% of their Back Squat 1RM, Power Clean 70-75% of their Back Squat 1 RM, then this would be a person that (at a glance) would appear to need more strength/slow/high force training to balance their characteristics of speed vs. strength. Whereas, if the same person can vertical jump 20", Power Snatch 40-50% of their Back Squat 1RM, Power Clean 55-65% of their Back Squat 1 RM, then this individual would appear to need more speed/high acceleration/relatively low load training to balance their characteristics of speed vs. strength.